The Nexstar Legacy Foundation unveiled its Troops to Trades: Military Veterans’ Professional Training Program April 4 during its annual Owners’ Spotlight Series meeting in New Orleans. The foundation’s goal is to provide 35 scholarships to qualified military veterans interested in entering, or currently working in, the plumbing, HVAC or electrical service industry as technicians. This includes $10,000 in scholarships in honor of Jim (Buddha) Potts.

The application deadline is Nov. 1.

The importance of supporting those interested in becoming trained technicians in the PHCE service industry is underlined by the increasing average age of technicians currently working in the field and a shortage of qualified technicians. In addition, the need for military veterans for solid careers in the civilian sector is high. The White House announced that 34,000 troops are expected to return to the United States in 2013. The foundation’s scholarships address these two vital needs.

 To further the goals of this program, the foundation met with the American Legion’s Economic Commission on Feb. 25 to how they could work together to promote this job assistance to military veterans. The foundation also met with the staff of members of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rep. Michelle Bachmann, Minn.; Rep. Dan Benishek, Mich.; and Rep. John Tierney, Mass., to discuss the continuing lack of skilled technicians in the PHCE trades.